CHILDREN’S CORNER: ANGELS This week is a very important one for ANGELS: on Tuesday (29th September) we have the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel & Raphael and on Friday (2nd October) we celebrate the Feast of our Guardian Angels. The Archangels Who are these angels and what do they do? Angels are spirits so they do not have bodies like we do. They know and love God and are God’s messengers - that’s what the word ‘angel’ means. Their job is to carry out special missions to advance God’s plan to save all of us!

 St Michael Archangel protects all of God’s friends. He is usually shown as a warrior, dressed in armour and holding a sword. Whenever we find it hard to do the right thing, we can pray to Archangel Michael to help us to do it.  St Gabriel Archangel brings news of great joy. He was the angel who appeared to Mary to tell her she was going to be the mother of Jesus.  St Raphael Archangel guides us and defends us against sickness. His name means God’s healer. Can you think of any other stories in the bible where angels came to give messages from God?

GUARDIAN ANGELS Every one of us has a special angel called a Guardian Angel, given to us by God to help us and to be our faithful friend. These angels are with us all the time. They are called ‘Guardian’ Angels because they guard us, protect us & help us to remember what God wants us to do! Do you know the Prayer to your Guardian Angel? Why don’t you learn it and pray it each morning? Angel sent by God to guide me, be my light and walk beside me; be my guardian and protect me; on the paths of life direct me. Amen.

For you to find out: What is the prayer based on the conversation between the Angel Gabriel and Mary, when he came to tell her she was to be the mother of Jesus? (Hint: the people in this famous painting are praying it!)